"Strength Training" option when logging exercise

megganxrose
megganxrose Posts: 30 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
The number of calories burned when you select "Strength Training" as an option under cardio seems awfully low. I don't have a HRM, but I definitely feel like I'm burning more than 50 calories in 15 minutes of strength training. I know it obviously varies depending on how much you're lifting/reps you're doing, but has anyone that uses a HRM seen any accuracy in this category?

Replies

  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    I will periodically use my HRM when lifting. The calories burned are not significant. Typically between 80 - 100 for 1/2 hour of lifting.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    HRM's don't work for strength training for the same reason that the calories are low. It doesn't significantly raise you HR enough for the algorithms in a HRM to work properly. Strength training isn't about calorie burning. You feel like you've really exerted yourself because your muscles are working and over time more muscle will equate to more calorie burn all the time because it takes more calories to maintain muscle than it does fat.
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  • megganxrose
    megganxrose Posts: 30 Member
    Makes sense! Something I totally already knew but was completely overthinking haha
  • megganxrose
    megganxrose Posts: 30 Member
    I think my real question was how do you guys work that into your calorie allotment for the day? Obviously if you're burning more calories through strength training you should be consuming more calories, but how do you figure out that number?
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  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    The calories burned through strength training are so minimal that it won't make a big difference. You won't go into the dreaded starvation mode by not eating back strength training calories. If you want to worry about it use the number MFP gives for strength under cardio.

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